Landowska Harpsichord sculptured
gothic harpsichord.

Bought at auction, 16th century Italian. Landowska performed her first recital on this instrument (RDM 4.11.71) in 1912 on this instrument. Renaissance painting on lid. Delicate wood
carving restored in Paris by 92-year-old, one of the few craftsmen who could be entrusted with this work. Plencrum units damaged in transit and restored by
H. Schilling (Opus, July 72)

Mainly because the owner
wanted to see the instrument played on instead of remaining silent in the glass
case of a museum, the owner sold it to Mr Adler. Three special ivory buttons at the
side of the keyboard to enable the registration and tone colour of the
harpsichord to be changed.

2 comments:

It is with great pleasure to see Landowska's beloved Italian instrument safe in South Africa! I am also given to understand that the muselaar from her collection is now in Brussels. As everyone is aware, the Nazis stole Landowska's library and collection of rare instruments and hid them in a salt mine for retrieval after the war. I was fearful that these treasures were destroyed decades ago. Thank you for posting, Dr. Adler.